Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-03-10
And she olung desperately 10 RhodA

Eastwood.
i beg thousand pardons, l am
sure,' pleaded Eyerly. 1T isn't my
fault. Pm not responsible. couldn't
help it, indeed. am Squire Everly Is
SON from Harvard, you know-and |
somehow lost my way on the mountain.
And hearing the calves, it was the
most natural thug in the world to
come here for shelter-and l dropped
asleep, and when l woke up, you were
talking here. hope haven't fright
ened you very much but Pm almost
frozen, and alf-famished into the bar
gain and if there should happen to be
few drops of coffee left in the bottom
of that tin pail
How stupid we are y cried Rhoda
Eastwood, blushing beautifully, as she
poured out gourd shell of the fragrant
coffee, and presented it, together with
yellow slice of johnny cake, to their
guest. You are very welcome at the
Old House, Mr.. Everly. Sit down by
the fire. Oh, there's no fear of the
supply of pine. cones giving out We
always fill bin full here every fall for
just such emergencies as this
This is delightful = said our hero,
thawing himself out, as it were, by the
fire. A sort of winter picture, eh ?
But, can tell you, it came very Lear
being something serious with me.
wanted to get away from my sisters
merry making, don't you see p he add
ed, frankly 'and this is the sort of
doom I've brought upon myself y
so they sat and talked in the fire
light, quite losing sight Of all stiffness
and ceremony in the cordial fellowship
engendered by their mutual plight.
Everly was surprised at the delicate
culture and native refinement evlnced
IN every look and word of Esau East
woods daughter.
Rhoda wondered how any one could
eyer have called Edgar Eyerly cold or
reserved and little Mamie Voohees,
fast asleep, with her head on RhOda's
lap, dreamed-who knew Of what -
until tie Ginning of the far away mid
night bells, born up the mountainside
by the strong north wind, suddenly
broke across the shrek Of the tempest.
The wind has changed. 1t will stop
showing soon,' said Rhoda, quietly.
Miss Eastwood -" said Everly.
well p
Don't think me impertinent, but
No, l DON'T. Go on
But added Everly, we are each
others Valentines y
Are we p Rhoda burst out laugh
ing. so we are-for whole year.
And perhaps longer. Who hnowsP'
His tone was just little sentimental
perhaps-at least it might have been, il
Mamie had not walked up just then.
Where AIN l I" said she, stretching
out her pretty calico covered arms.
'Oh, l remember now. We are snow
bound and 1 was dreaming of St. Val
entine's Day
With the dawn faint rose-fush had
overspread the sky. Rhoda had proved
true prophet storm was oyer.
And the three merrily descended the
mountain side together.
Remember Edgar said, as he gave
a parting pressure TO Rhoda's hand, at
the Eastwood farm-2ate, you are my
Valentine y
For d year, corrected Rhoda, calm
ly.
But the lease is renewable at the
years end = urged Everly.
And so the matter is left-to be set
tied a twelve months hence as old st.
Valentine may decide.
Hes good sort of a saint, says MI
Everly, who Is falling deeper and deep.
er IN love with the farmers daughter
with every day. Pm quite willing to
leave it to old St. Valentine l'-Helea
Forrest GrdUeS.